Putkonen lost the 2014 season to injury. After earning a spot in the Tigers' bullpen for Opening Day, Putkonen was only able to make two appearances before elbow injuries sidelined him for much of the season. He underwent arthroscopic surgery in mid-June to remove a posterior osteophyte from his right elbow. The 28-year-old righty was able to work his way back towards a rehab stint in late-August, but Detroit opted to shut him down for the reminder of the season after he struggled in three appearances for Low-A West Michigan. Last time he was healthy, Putkonen did solid work out of the Tigers’ bullpen, posting a 3.03 ERA and 28:9 K:BB ratio in 29.2 innings during the 2013 season. Prior to his injury, the big (6-6, 217) righty possessed a fastball that would settle in around 94 mph, with the ability to reach up to 98 mph. He would also utilize a swing-and-miss curveball and sinker. The Tigers expect Putkonen to be ready when pitchers and catchers report. If he proves to be as effective as he was in 2013, Putkonen will be in the running for a bullpen spot on Opening Day.

2014

For the second straight year, Putkonen split time between Triple-A Toledo and Detroit. The 27-year-old picher was deployed out of the bullpen in a middle-relief role at both stops. He was stellar for the Mud Hens, posting a 1.91 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 37.1 innings. While not as strong at the major league level, Putkonen still put together a solid season for the Tigers, finishing with a 3.03 ERA and 28:9 K:BB ratio in 30 appearances. The tall (6-foot-6, 215-pound) righty pitched in the mid-90s with his fastball, but he doesn’t focus on being overpowering, instead trying to induce groundballs with his sinking action. Putkonen is expected to once again be in the mix for a middle-innings role with the Tigers, and he could earn more innings than in past seasons with a strong spring.